community newsline Annual Report to the Community 2015 Junior Leaders Community Service Grant

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF The Junior League of Stark County was proud to announce the creation and STARK COUNTY, , INC. successful implementation of the Junior Leaders Community Service Grant during the Women building better communities® 2014-2015 league year. This grant was designed to fund service projects led by Stark County girls in grades K-12.

Two grants (one from grades K-5 and one from grades 6-12) of $2,500 were awarded from the more than 20 applications submitted by the deadline. League President Cara Beisert explained, “This unique grant was developed out of an understanding that females are underrepresented in leadership roles in the United States.” The goal of this grant program is to aid in the development of leadership skills in Stark County females while at the same time providing service to the community.

The K-5th grade winner was Kayveona Atkins, a 4th grader from Madge Youtz Elementary School in Canton. The 6th-12th grade winner was Anna Moeglin, a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Louisville. Both projects benefited the YWCA of Canton. Kayveona and a group of “grant girls” made 300 care bags for women and children living in the shelter at the YWCA, and Anna built a garden, from which Executive Board children in the Y’s daycare program will be able to collect produce.

Cara Beisert This grant program will once again be offered during the 2015-2016 league year. For President more information on the grant program, please visit www.jlstarkcounty.org or email Junior League headquarters at [email protected]. Teresa Fout President Elect

Megan Seeley Secretary

Tara Beachy Treasurer

Deanna Parks Treasurer Elect

Stephanie Helline Community Council VP

Melissa Lombardi Finance Council VP

Megan Pellegrino Sustainer Council VP

Jenn Campbell Training & Development Council VP

(330) 491-4552 www.jlstarkcounty.org [email protected] community newsline

President’s Perspective

Thank you for helping to make 2014-2015 a successful year for The Junior League of Stark County and our community partners! While we purposely opted to forgo a “Major Project” this year in favor of thoroughly researching and planning a multi-year project, we continued to pursue opportunities for community impact in multiple areas.

We completed four Done-In-A-Day projects by returning to both Habitat for Humanity and Alliance for Children and Families, and formed new bonds with Troop and Family Services, the Girl Scouts, and Domestic Violence Project by providing the service of trained volunteers to positively impact their clientele. Additionally, we facilitated three Done-In-A-Meeting activities at General Membership Meetings, and supported a food Cara Beisert drive at a fourth meeting. President Acknowledging the disparity of women to men in leadership roles and positions of power, we introduced an initiative aimed at promoting leadership and voluntarism amongst young women in our community by way of The Junior Leaders Community Service Grant. JLSC awarded grants totaling $5000 to Kayveona Adkins, a 4th grader at Madge Youtz Elementary, and Anna Moeglin, a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, to pursue community service projects, both benefitting the temporary shelter at the Canton YWCA.

Perhaps most importantly, we conducted hours of research concerning community needs, had meaningful discussions amongst our membership and with community stakeholders, and elected to pursue a multi-year, large-scale project with The Martin Center (TMC) – a community center providing education, recreation, and basic human needs to teens in need in Canton’s southeast end. The beauty of The Martin Center project is that it provides the opportunity to deliver both immediate needs, such as serving weekly meals, but also to assist in laying infrastructure to help ensure that TMC will thrive for years to come. At only a few dozen Active members strong, a project with a scope such as this will require JLSC to make connections with additional partners, such as local businesses, community members, and additional nonprofit organizations providing services to those in need. It truly takes a village!

In addition to all of those superb accomplishments, our members provided more than 300 hours of community service to Stark County.

Given those facts, however, the item of which I am most proud is quite intangible: the excitement and electricity exhibited by members as we move forward with a multi-year project that will benefit Stark County, and having watched so many members grow in to exemplary leaders who will most certainly use what they have learned in JLSC to benefit other nonprofits and community boards.

It has been my pleasure to serve as President of The Junior League of Stark County once again this year. The best is yet to come!

2 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF STARK COUNTY, OHIO, INC. Major Projects/DIAD

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. has completed several Done In A Day (DIAD) projects throughout the 2014-2015 League year. The initial DIAD was held on Saturday, October 25th at Habitat for Humanity (1400 Raff Road SW, Canton). Seventeen Junior League volunteers transformed a general space into a cozy, fun, and inviting reading room for children to enjoy while their parents attend Habitat for Humanity workshops. The room was designed in a Dr. Seuss theme with creative quotes and canvases painted by talented members. Junior League members donated numerous books and puzzles to complete the room. Habitat for Humanity was so excited and impressed with our dedication and hard work, that they invited us back for an additional DIAD project at the Habitat ReStore on Cleveland Avenue. Junior League volunteers braved the blizzard conditions on Valentine’s Day to paint a large area inside the ReStore.

Santa and Mrs. Claus joined us from the North Pole on Sunday, December 14th for “Cookies and Cocoa” for area military members and their families. Each child received an age appropriate gift, crafted Christmas ornaments, sang carols with Mrs. Claus and sat on Santa’s lap for one last chance to tell Santa their dreams of Christmas. Adults were treated to relaxing chair massages by Amy Whitman and paraffin wax treatments.

“A Night at the Museum” on March 14th at the Canton Museum of Art, was a big hit with Girl Scouts who attended. The night consisted of a scavenger hunt throughout the museum, canvas painting, and making spring cards to donate to the Domestic Violence Shelter. It was fun to see each girl design and create their canvas.

The Major Project Committee concluded its DIAD projects with completing a garden at The Martin Center.

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community newsline

NewProject Announcement At the March GMM, members voted on a Major Project for the 2015-2018 League years. Under the “Adopt-a-School” theme, three potential project locations were reviewed and The Martin Center was chosen. Pastor Terry Hunka bought the Martin Elementary School building from the city of Canton three years ago for $1. Since that time, he has created a safe zone for approximately 50-80 middle and high school students that attended on Monday through Thursday evenings. Students come to The Martin Center to play , receive a hot meal, get assistance with their homework, learn to play a musical instrument or take dance lessons.

Pastor Hunka has realized this progress solely through the help of a volunteer network. We look forward to many opportunities in the next three years to expand the potential of The Martin Center and to have an impact on the kids being served. Possible projects include, but are not limited to:

 Installing an elevator that meets Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards  Enhancing the community garden and incorporating “Kids in the Kitchen” events  Updating the onsite computer lab  Remodeling housing for homeless teens and teens aging out of foster care  DIAD activities such as cleaning, painting, and small remodeling jobs  Providing training and resources for fundraising efforts and grant writing  Developing and implementing leadership and character building programming  Building a commercial kitchen

4 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF STARK COUNTY, OHIO, INC. Community Advisory Council

The Community Advisory Council (CAC) is a group of twelve members (6 Sustaining members of League and 6 community members) that provide input on community needs. This year, the CAC provided input on benefits and challenges of the two future projects the Strategic Planning committee has been researching as well as suggested partners that we can collaborate with. Additionally, the Community Representatives assisted with selecting League’s annual Women of the Year honorees.

The Junior League would like to thank the 2014-2015 CAC members:

Eric Belden - Walsh University, Community Representative

Eric Smer - ystark! A department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Community Representative

Kathy Yaros - North Canton Community Building YMCA, Community Representative

Sandra Watkins Cleaver - Cleaver & Sokolowski, Community Representative

Sarah Buell – Stark County Park District, Community Representative

Lada Gibson-Shreve Ph.D. – Stark State College, Community Representative

Suzanne Halm, JLSC Sustainer

Judy Scheurer, JLSC Sustainer

Cynthia McDowell Lazor, JLSC Sustainer

Denise Mulqueen, JLSC Sustainer

Nancy Platek, JLSC Sustainer

Cathy Rieder, JLSC Sustainer

As a proud member of The Association of Junior Leagues International, The Junior League of Stark County reaches Member out to women of all races, religions and Training national origins who demonstrate an Opportunitie interest in and commitment to voluntarism. Over 300 women locally and over 155,000 in 292 affiliates worldwide represent The Association of Junior Leagues International.

Women building better communities

5 community newsline Women of the Year

For 68 years, the Junior League has honored women who have excelled in their service to others. The Junior League Women of the Year Awards are given annually to those women who have gone that extra mile, usually quietly and without fanfare. On Wednesday May 13, at Brookside Country Club, two women received their fanfare.

Community Award Honoree– Dyanna Myers

Nominated for her volunteer work, The Honorable Andrew Zumber describes Dyanna in this way, “With a lively voice and infectious smile, Ms. Myers quickly introduces herself to any audience or group. Absolutely selfless, she not only gives of herself and her own means to help others, but will solicit her acquaintances to provide assistance when her own resources are exhausted. Candidly, she is one of the forgotten heroines of our community – due in large part to her very nature of quiet perseverance in service to others”. Dyanna orchestrated community assemblies held with the Alliance students and the Alliance Police, Mayor, Judge, Prosecutor and local pastors in the wake of the recent national tragedies. She has been involved in the After School Tutorial Program and Summer Enrichment WOY winners Dyanna Myers and Kathleen Prasnal programs/camps for at risk children and youth. In addition, she participated with the Summer Meal Program in collaboration with Alliance City Schools and the University of Mount Union plus serving breakfast on Sunday for local hungry and needy children. For the past two years, she has organized the Mother Child Annual Brunch, and has helped to orchestrate free haircuts for children as they enter a new school year. Dyanna is Founder and Curator of the Alliance Historical Black History Museum, the volunteer Executive Director of the Alliance Neighborhood Center, and is involved in seven other organizations.

Allan Andreani, Mayor of Alliance sums it up by stating, “As you can see she is an extremely active dedicated individual working for our community”.

President’s Award Honoree – Kathleen Prasnal

Nominated for her work with the Stark County Medical Society Auxiliary, Amy Smith and Diana McCulty stated, “Kathleen is an amazing woman and highly deserving of recognition for her many years of service to our organization and to the Stark County area in general.” As a volunteer with the Stark County Medical Society (SCMSA), she has been President three different years, was a member of the Executive Board as Vice President and Secretary, plus she has served on many committees over 22 years, including Program Chair, Nominating, Style Show Fundraiser, Scholarship committee, and Membership Chair for the Ohio State Medical Association Alliance (OSMAA). She was also instrumental in making the SCMSA a 501(C)3 charity. Kathleen was a volunteer for SAFE KIDS DAY and SAVE (Stop America’s Violence Everywhere) which was brought to Stark County Elementary Schools. As the SCMSA is a part of a larger alliance of Auxiliaries, Kathleen has served on the state level also. At that level, Kathleen was the 6th District Director for the Ohio State Medical Association Alliance (OSMAA), served on their Executive Board, and was involved as a committee chair for various committees. She is also an active member of the Mercy Service League.

Amy and Diana added “One thing we would like to add is that Kathleen does all of this without hesitation, with a bright smile on her face and a very positive attitude. She is the first to say yes when something needs done and she is a wonderful ambassador for our organization”.

The Women of the Year is an annual event for The Junior League of Stark County where two women are honored for their volunteer work in our community. The Junior League of Stark County is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. For more information, please contact [email protected].

6 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF JLSC and Endowment donors STARK COUNTY, OHIO, INC. For years, donors have entrusted millions of dollars with Stark Community Foundation. They benefit from the experienced staff, community leadership and professional investment management. The foundation invests your gifts so they are sustainable in perpetuity.

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc., is pleased to continue its endowment fund with Stark Community Foundation and thanks all of the donors from 2014-2015 who have helped continue growth and sustenance of our fund. Earnings from the JLSC Women’s Fund for the Future will be used to support our charitable mission. Your gift is a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work today and in the future.

Mayor Alan Adreani Pat Fuller Sharon Luntz Kitty Pelander Barbara Armitage Mimi Geihsler Edward & Louise Mahoney Vikki Roholt

Sally Bernard Vicki Haines Mr. & Mrs. William Markley Amy Smith Peg Biddle Dawn Joseph Patricia Miller Darlene Violet Susan Conlan Judge Robert and Kathy Lavery JoAnn Ovnic Natalie Weinsz Barbara Fordyce Cynthia Lazor Judge Dixilene & Dr. John Park

Provisional Project

This year's Provisional class collaborated with The Alliance for Children & Families, Inc. (ACF) on April 25, 2015. ACF is dedicated to helping children, individuals, and families lead lives of stability, self- sufficiency, and enhancement.

The Provisional members provided a hot meal and drawstring backpack of food to approximately 30 children at the shelter.

Additionally, the Provisional class engaged in healthy eating activities with the children in an effort to teach them healthy eating habits and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The Provisional members also provided the parents of these children with an informational resource folder in an effort to provide parents with helpful tips on grocery shopping, bus routes, inexpensive and healthy recipes, as well as a placemat.

The Provisional members were thrilled to serve the children and families at ACF!

7 community newsline Red Carpet Gala A Red Carpet Gala held on February 28th, 2015 was certainly a night to remember! Over 150 people enjoyed great food, numerous silent auction items, and an exciting live auction; after which they were entertained by casino style gambling. Our members and community came together and raised over $36,000 to support The Junior League of Stark County’s mission and to kick off our multi-year Adopt-a-School project at The Martin Center. We would like to extend a special thank you to our donors for their generous support.

415 Group 4 Cookie Divas 77 Colonial Lanes Cleveland Gladiators 91 Wood Fired Restaurants African Safari Wildlife Park Cleveland Metroparks Akron Art Museum Cleveland Orchestra Akron Racers Cleveland Zoo Akron RubberDucks Akron Zoo All Sports Camp Columbus Museum of Art Ambiance. The Store for Lovers! COSI Amy and Mike Mast Cottage Draperies & Interiors Angry Barbeque Country Fest Anthony Rossi Photography Covelli Enterprises aka Panera Bread A Quality Facility Services/Chris and Cheryle Paxos Craig and Paula Robinson Arby's Creation Museum Ashley Monroe-Independent Scentsy Consultant CVS Pharmacy Auto Zone Dean and Grace Olivieri Aveda DeHoff Realtors/Linda DeHoff Baja Pizzafish Desert Inn Belden Village Mall Diana Boggia BJ Wholesale Club Dickenson Stained Glass Studio Bluegrass Design/Build Landscapes, Irrigation Dillard’s/Estee Lauder, Belden Village Mall and Lighting Dillard’s/Estee Lauder, Summit Mall Bonefish Grill Diva Gymnastics Academy Books-A-Million Dollywood Boulder Brands Domino's Pizza Brett, Jan--Children's Author Don and Barb Cockroft Bridget Graham, Avon Drs. Babics and Ash, DDS Brinker International Drs. Danielle Kiko and Steven Willard, Obstetrics Brookside Country Club and Gynecology Buckeye Travel Biz Dumonts Sporting Goods Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3) Belden Village location Dutchman Hospitality Group, Walnut Creek, Ohio Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3) Massillon location East Coast Martial Arts Cain BMW Edgewood Community Center Canton Ballet Ellsworth Auto Body Canton Chair Rental Emily and Brian Klink Canton Charge Face Up Aesthetics Institute Canton Food Tours Farm at Walnut Creek Canton Palace Theatre Fisher's Adventure Gear/Fisher's ATV World Canton Symphony Orchestra Flower Factory Cedar Point Fout Law Office Center Ice Sports Complex Fox & Hound Chick-Fil-A Friend of the Junior League Christine Allensworth Friend of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Cici's Pizza Enshrinement Festival Friq & Fraq, Inc. Cinemark Tinseltown USA Gasser Fine Jewelers Clay's Park Resort Giant Eagle, Raff Road Cleaver & Sokolowski, LLC Glenmoor Country Club Cleveland Botanical Garden Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company 8 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF Gordon Food Services (GFS) STARK COUNTY, OHIO, INC. Gourmet Gift Baskets.com Great Lakes Brewing Co. Morgan, Bernard & Associates Orthodontics Hall of Fame Fitness Center, Inc. Nancy Hoover Hilton Garden Inn - Akron/Canton Airport Nancy Platek Holiday Valley Mountain Resort & Conference Natalie Weinsz Center Nathan's Patio Bar & Grill Impulse Personal and Sports Training Nicole Spain, MS, RD/Advocare Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus/Easton North Canton Racquet Club Harry London/Fannie May North Canton Skate Center Hartville Hardware North Canton YMCA Heggy's Nut Shop NY Skyride Henry B. Ball Jewelers Ohio Light Opera Highlights Magazine Ohio Pools and Spas Hosner Carpet One Ohio State University, Athletic Dept. Ianazone's Pizza OH Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Janet Diamond Children's Center for Science & Technology Jennifer Jackson Old Carolina Barbeque Jenn Sebrell, Pampered Chef Origami Owl Jewelry Jim and Vicki Conley Outback Steakhouse J&K Subway Outerwall aka Redbox John and Nancy Baker Pancho's Southwestern Grille Joyce Farrell Papa Gyros Judge Dixie Park Patricia and Richard Seiple K-9 Hairstyles Patricia Miller Kari's Kitchen Pellegrino Music Center Kate Owen, Thirty-One Representative Petunia Pickle Bottom Kennedy's BBQ P. Graham Dunn Factory Store Kings Island Pittsburgh Pirates Kozmo's Grille Pittsburgh Steelers Lainey Bee Boutique Pizza Oven/Papa Bears Lake Erie Monsters Plain Township La Pizzaria Plain Township Fire Department Laura and Ryan Kuchmaner Planet Fitness Lazer Tag Group Players Guild Theatre Lifeway Christian Bookstore Portrait Innovations Linda Alford Premier Bank & Trust Lindsey's Pizza Pro Football Hall of Fame Little White Feather Shop Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. LOC Fishing Derby Rack Room Shoes LoDano's Footwear Rae Ellen Smedley Longhorn Steakhouse Raintree Country Club Louise and Ed Mahoney Red Carpet Car Wash Lucia and Joseph Pileggi Rick and Kerri Salvino Magic Mountain Fun Center Robert Mayone Maid Brigade Roger W. Hair Main Street Gourmet Rosanna Fierro Mallory & Justin Photographers Salon Mystique Malone University Salt Fort Lodge aka Xanterra Parks & Resort Maps Air Museum Salvino Dolce Bakery Massillon Museum Schauer Group, Inc. Max & Erma's Second Sole Maximilian Group - Dairy Queen, Jackson Twp. Shady Hollow Country Club McKinley Grand Hotel Shannon English Marketing Megan Seeley Sheetz Mellion Orthodontics Shelly L. Boss, DDS Michael and Melissa Lombardi Sheraton Suites Cuyahoga Falls Mid’s Pasta Sauce Signature Services/Stephanie Jackson

9 community newsline

Silpada Designs The Junior League of Stark County Strategic Skyland Pines Planning Committee Sliman's Printery/Judi Humphries The Laurie Berkner Band Sluggers & Putters Family Fun Park The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake Snow Trails The Mark Angelus Salon Solmet Technologies The Melting Pot Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn The Party Place Stahlheber's The Q Arena Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens The Sangria Stand Starbucks, Strip location The Skin Affair Spa State Representative and Mrs. Kirk and The Spa at Atrium Darlene Schuring The Step 2 Company, LLC Susan E. Jenkins The University of Akron, Athletic Dept. Table 6 The University of Akron, E.J. Thomas Performing Taggarts Ice Cream Arts Tapas 218 Tony and Lora Harley The Belden Brick Company Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller The Canal Fulton Glassworks Glass Studio & Center Art Gallery Trademark Entertainment The Cheesecake Factory, Westlake location Trumpet in the Land The Cleveland Improv Comedy Club Umbra The Deuble Foundation Valvoline Instant Oil Change The District Boutique Vista Psychological & Counseling Centre, LLC The Hair Shoppe & Spa Vito Corleone's The J.M. Smucker Co. Walsh University The Junior League of Stark County Admission/ Walt Disney World Provisional Committee WHBC Radio The Junior League of Stark County Executive Wilderness Center Board Committee Wildlife Education, Ltd. The Junior League of Stark County Leadership William Eaglowski Placement Committee World Champion Taekwondo The Junior League of Stark County Major Wyland Worldwide LLC Fundraiser Committee Zeppe's Pizzeria The Junior League of Stark County Major Project Committee It was an incredible night filled with fun, support, and The Junior League of Stark County Membership enthusiasm for our community. We hope to see you Meeting & Training Committee there next year!

Junior League Mini Projects This year, one of the goals we set was for more opportunities to give back to our community during monthly meetings.

In November, we made ornaments to be displayed at the Hoover Family Christmas and for the fifth year the ornaments and a Christmas tree were donated to a local family.

Our December social was held at Shady Hollow Country Club where we “wrapped up” our Santa Project. Membership gathered for some delicious snacks and wrapped all of the gifts to be given to some wonderful young adults who are aging out of the foster care system in Stark County.

“February was one of our best meetings yet,” to quote one member. The residents at Canton Christian Home were delighted to receive and make Valentines with our Little Leaguers!

In March, we had our annual food drive for the Stark County Hunger Task Force. We finished up in April making blankets that were donated to the children staying at the Domestic Violence Shelter.

The members really enjoyed these projects and look forward to next year!

10 THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF Sustainers Make a Difference at the Stark STARK COUNTY, OHIO, INC. County Hunger Task Force

On three separate occasions in November and December 2014, Sustainers took their time to help the community at the Stark County Hunger Task Force. Through their efforts, volunteer databases were updated, food was sorted for the Backpack Program, donations were delivered to affiliate pantries and community members in need of food were served. Sustainers experience in fundraising was also utilized by the Stark County Hunger Task Force as their input was gathered for an upcoming fundraising campaign, Hunger at Home, that is set to kick-off this summer. In fact, several Sustaining members have volunteered to be a part of the planning committee for this effort. Those members are; Denise Mulqueen, Barb Paulus, and Megan Pellegrino. Amy Weisbrod, Director of the Stark County Task Force, was very thankful for the efforts of our members and the continued support of The Junior League of Stark County throughout the years.

Classifieds

15. HELP WANTED

Looking for civic-minded women willing to make a differ- ence in Stark County. Must be 21 years or older and ready to dedicate their time and talents to projects with a focus on childhood development. Training (and friend- ships) will be provided. Please contact Elyse Ramirez with names of those who might be interested in filling this position. [email protected].

11 Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID community newsline Canton, Ohio PERMIT NO. 1381 The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. 4450 Belden Village Street NW, Suite 106 Canton, Ohio 44718

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF (330) 491-4552 STARK COUNTY, OHIO, INC. www.jlstarkcounty.org

mission

The Junior League of Stark County, Ohio, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

vision

The Junior League: Women around the world as catalysts for lasting community change.